Earlier today, the official website of Roc Nation, LLC, an entertainment company founded by American rapper and entrepreneur, Shawn Carter (publicly known as “Jay-Z“), announced that Robinson Cano is now a part of the Roc Nation Family. Cano will become the first sports client of Roc Nation Sports, a sports agency that has partnered with Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the agency of record for popular athletes, including Robert Griffin III, Carmelo Anthony and Ryan Braun.
The announcement was made shortly after it was revealed that Cano would be leaving his baseball agent Scott Boras of Boras Corp. ”At this point in my career, I am ready to take a more active role in my endeavors both on and off the field,” said Cano, in a release on the Roc Nation website. ”I am confident that the pairing of Roc Nation Sports and CAA Sports will be essential in helping me accomplish my short- and long-term goals. I am making this important decision now so I can keep my focus on helping the Yankees succeed in 2013, while minimizing any distractions for me and my teammates.”
The signing of Cano is not only a great start for Roc Nation Sports, but also a fantastic acquisition by CAA’s baseball division. Two years ago, CAA lost an experienced baseball agent when Casey Close left the company to join competitor Excel Sports Management. High profile clients, including Derek Jeter, left with Close. However, CAA Baseball, under the leadership of Brodie Van Wagenen, has continued to thrive. The announcement of a partnership with Jay-Z’s company and the representation of Robinson Cano, will further strengthen the CAA Baseball brand.
While there is likely no league concern over Roc Nation officially making its entrance into the world of representing baseball players, the same cannot necessarily be said if Jay-Z chooses to gain certification as a basketball agent and represent players in the NBA. If Jay-Z becomes an NBPA certified agent, he may be confronted with an inherent conflict of interest based on his concurrent partial ownership of the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets.